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Education Ministry

Posted on January 30, 2004 ...

This Sunday, an estimated seventy thousand football fans will attend the Super Bowl in Houston’s Reliant Stadium. It will be watched by an additional 139 million in the U.S. and be broadcast to over 180 countries. Yet only about 150 men will actually appear in uniform on the field, and only twenty-two of these will be playing the game at any given moment. The ratio of fans to players works out to be about 926,000:1 (in the U.S. only).

What is the difference between a football fan and a player? It has nothing to do with knowledge of the game. Many fans actually know more about team statistics, past seasons, and player profiles than the players themselves. It has nothing to do with fondness for the game. I have known guys (and some ladies, too) who come alive whenever football is the topic of conversation. And it really has nothing to do with team spirit. Based on my observations of UT fans, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find even a UT player with any more loyalty to the Big Orange. As far as I can tell, the main difference is this: Players play the game, fans watch it. Players are the guys who actually get to touch the ball. They feel the hits. They smell the grass. They taste the blood. They are part of the game. Fans, on the other hand, can only observe from the comfort of their seats. This Sunday, only one in 926,000 will receive the coveted Super Bowl ring.

When it comes to sports, this fan to player ratio is acceptable. In fact, it is necessary. It’s what makes big games like this so fun and exciting; not to mention profitable. But such a ratio is not acceptable in Christianity.

“Wait just a minute,” someone will say. “Christianity is not a spectator’s sport.”

That’s my point. Christianity is not a spectator’s sport, though in some sense there is a resemblance. Millions of people are attracted to the idea of Christianity. They read the Bible, they prefer the Christian lifestyle, and they like the idea of belonging to a church family. Yet how many are really getting “into the game?” How many are actually taking the hits? Jesus said that those who love Him should expect to be persecuted. How many are smelling the grass and tasting the blood? The Bible teaches that those who truly follow Him will suffer hardships, endure trials and temptations, be thought of as fools, deny self and forfeit worldly comforts. Indeed, Christianity is not a spectator’s sport.

It says something about us when we marvel at the sacrifices made by missionaries as if that is something we could never do. It says something when we notice those for whom Christ is the center of their lives as if they are different from the rest of us. It says something when our relationships and morality resemble our culture more than Jesus. It seems as if many prefer their seats in the stands to the field of battle.

During Jesus earthly ministry, He attracted large crowds consisting of many Christ-fans. Toward the end, when He challenged them with the high calling of discipleship, only a few remained. Jesus is still challenging those who are attracted to Him to decide what they will be. Christians receive exactly what they want the most – a relationship with Jesus. Christ-fans also get exactly what they want most – just a seat with a good view.

Purpose Driven Life Discussion Group Reading Schedule
February 1……Days 1-7, 36-40
February 8……..Days 22-28
February 15……Days 15-21
February 22……..Days 29-35
February 29……..Days 8-14